Unsplash Asset Images (Avatars, Portraits, Backgrounds, Wallpapers)
Goal: quickly grab good-looking images from Unsplash and deliver them in the right size + ratio.
Output rule
For each recommendation, output: 1) Unsplash page URL (canonical) 2) Suggested ratios + sizes for the use case
If the user wants a file, instruct them to use the Download button on Unsplash and then crop/resize in their design tool or image pipeline.
License / safety (keep it simple)
- Unsplash images are generally free to use, but avoid Unsplash+ images unless the user explicitly wants them.
- Don’t present the photographer name as “required attribution” (Unsplash doesn’t require it), but it’s good practice to include.
How to deliver the right size + ratio
- Open the Unsplash photo page and use the Download button.
- Resize/crop to the target ratio in your design tool or image pipeline.
- Keep faces centered for avatars/headshots and preserve horizon for wide backgrounds.
Note: do not include Unsplash source or secondary image links; keep only the main photo page URLs.
Curated picks (5 each)
1) Avatars (1:1)
Pick images with clean face framing + simple backgrounds.
- https://unsplash.com/photos/man-wearing-black-shirt-aoEwuEH7YAs
- https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photography-of-man-wearing-crew-neck-shirt-jmURdhtm7Ng
- https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photography-of-woman-with-two-hands-on-her-face--Keh6vLM7w0
- https://unsplash.com/photos/man-in-black-crew-neck-shirt-QWa0TIUW638
- https://unsplash.com/photos/man-wearing-black-denim-jacket-near-building-2RFwLL-YX44
Suggested deliverables:
- 1:1: 256×256, 512×512, 1024×1024
2) Headshots (4:5 or 3:4)
Aim for shoulders-up framing, neutral backgrounds, “professional but human”.
- https://unsplash.com/photos/mans-grey-and-black-shirt-ILip77SbmOE
- https://unsplash.com/photos/man-facing-on-left-side-co2Nn11OP3k
- https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-with-blue-eyes-and-black-hair-VLJV46hPLSM
- https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-with-blonde-hair-and-red-lipstick-8f3yvMdkWJI
- https://unsplash.com/photos/a-young-woman-poses-with-hands-near-her-face-bF6wuOivk2M
Suggested deliverables:
- 4:5: 800×1000, 1200×1500, 1600×2000
- 3:4: 900×1200, 1500×2000
3) Portraits (editorial / candid)
Use these when the vibe is “human story”, not “corporate headshot”.
- https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-holding-vintage-camera-to-take-a-picture-O_UK4X6ekgI
- https://unsplash.com/photos/man-wearing-a-straw-hat-and-maroon-shirt-Rd2UXAg8Zc0
- https://unsplash.com/photos/brPuA0a0Uuk
- https://unsplash.com/photos/Plii16U9bOU
- https://unsplash.com/photos/man-leaning-on-wall-silhouette-2trSyEqR0pA
Suggested deliverables:
- 3:4: 1500×2000
- 4:5: 1200×1500
- 1:1 crop for social: 1080×1080
4) Large backgrounds (website hero, banners) — 16:9
Pick wide shots with clean negative space and readable gradients.
- https://unsplash.com/photos/landscape-photography-of-mountains-twukN12EN7c
- https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-landscape-with-mountains-in-the-background-X93tlrlx5kI
- https://unsplash.com/photos/a-landscape-with-trees-and-mountains-in-the-background-96mTBTH9MEw
- https://unsplash.com/photos/mountains-and-a-blue-sky-create-a-picturesque-landscape-fgCR4Yj3CLs
- https://unsplash.com/photos/landscape-with-milky-way-night-sky-with-stars-on-the-mountain-long-exposure-photograph-with-grain-Vt7Se0uqEpA
Suggested deliverables:
- Desktop hero: 1920×1080, 2400×1350, 2880×1620
- Social banner: 1500×500 (3:1) — consider manual crop
5) Abstract wallpapers (desktop/mobile)
Use when you need “brand-safe”, non-specific visuals.
- https://unsplash.com/photos/an-abstract-purple-background-with-a-black-background-5Q9Gf0WSyLk
- https://unsplash.com/photos/abstract-layered-shapes-with-a-gradient-orange-color-5q4zsTaVN4I
- https://unsplash.com/photos/abstract-organic-shapes-with-blue-and-yellow-gradients-c0B1HYG6ZK4
- https://unsplash.com/photos/blue-waves-form-a-soft-abstract-gradient-dYksH3vHorc
- https://unsplash.com/photos/abstract-purple-waves-on-a-dark-background-ZQSPIiFEMoU
Suggested deliverables:
- Desktop: 2560×1600 or 2880×1800
- Mobile: 1080×1920 (9:16)
Quick “which ratio do I use?” cheatsheet
- Avatar: 1:1
- Headshot card: 4:5 (great default), 3:4 (taller)
- Website hero background: 16:9
- Mobile wallpaper / story background: 9:16
If the user asks for “best image”:
- prefer clean negative space
- avoid busy backgrounds
- ensure face is not cropped awkwardly (use
crop=faces on production URLs)